The First Lady (Tammy Wynette album)

Last updated
The First Lady
TammyWynetteTheFirstLady.jpg
Studio album by
Tammy Wynette
ReleasedOctober 5, 1970
RecordedMay – June 1970
Studio Columbia Studio B
Genre
Label Epic
Producer Billy Sherrill
Tammy Wynette chronology
Tammy's Touch
(1970)		The First Lady
(1970)		 Christmas with Tammy
(1970)
Singles from The First Lady
  1. "Run, Woman, Run"
    Released: August 1970

The First Lady is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on October 5, 1970 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. It was the ninth studio album in Wynette's career. The disc featured both new material and covers of previously-recorded material. Many of the recordings featured on the disc centered around themes about housewives keeping their spouses happy. The First Lady reached positions on both the American country albums and pop albums charts. Its only single, "Run, Woman, Run", topped the country charts. The album was met with mixed reviews following its release.

Contents

Background

Tammy Wynette had become one of country music's most popular recording artists by the 1970s decade. She had a series of chart-topping country singles, including 1969's "Stand by Your Man". The song described the devotion women have towards their husbands despite their martial troubles. It became her signature song and crafted an image for Wynette as a working class housewife. [2] [3] Producer Billy Sherrill used "Stand by Your Man" as a foundation for the production and storyline to future chart-topping Tammy Wynette singles. Follow-up releases like "Singing My Song", "I'll See Him Through" and "He Loves Me All the Way" also topped the country charts. Among her successful follow-ups was 1970's "Run, Woman, Run", which also followed a similar story line to that of "Stand by Your Man". The song helped craft the making of Wynette's next studio release, The First Lady. [4]

Recording and content

The recording sessions for The First Lady took place between May and June 1970 at Columbia Studio B, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The sessions were produced entirely by Billy Sherrill. The album contained a total of 11 tracks. [5] The tracks penned and chosen for the album echoed that of "Stand by Your Man's" story line. Many of the tracks followed themes associated with women attempting to keep marriages afloat. [1] In the opening track, "Run, Woman, Run", a woman gives advice to other women about keeping their spouses satisfied. [6] Six of the album's tracks were penned by Billy Sherrill. Among these recordings were the new tracks "Safe in These Loving Arms of Mine", "My Daddy Doll", "The Lovin' Kind" and "He's Still My Man". [5] The Sherrill composition, "Playin' Around with Love", a was cover of the top 20 single by Barbara Mandrell. Also included were covers of Connie Smith's "I Never Once Stopped Loving You" and Patti Page's "I Wish I Had a Mommy Like You". [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg

The disc received mixed reviews from critics. In October 1970, Billboard magazine gave the album a positive response, highlighting Wynette's "unique touch" to the disc's cover songs. The magazine further commented, "Top material with exceptional performances." [8] Meanwhile, Eugene Chadbourne of AllMusic only rated the album 2.5 out of 5 stars in his review. Chadbourne found the material to be too similar to that of "Stand by Your Man", citing Billy Sherrill for making this occur: "This album gives the impression that producer Billy Sherrill decided to somehow follow or even top "Stand by Your Man" in terms of having a female singer either cooing in submissiveness or pleading to be let back into the arms of a particular man. It proves too daunting a task for the producer in his second role as author or co-author of a good chunk of these songs." [1]

Release, chart performance and singles

The First Lady was released on October 5, 1970 on Epic Records. It was the ninth studio album in Wynette's career. It was originally issued as a vinyl LP, featuring five songs on "side one" and six songs on "side two". [5] Decades later, it was re-released digitally by Sony Music Entertainment. [9] Following its original release, The First Lady entered the American Billboard Top Country Albums chart and peaked at the number two position by December 1970. [10] On the Billboard 200, it peaked at number 119. [11] The only single on the disc was "Run, Woman, Run". It was released as single by Epic Records in August 1970. [12] By October 1970, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. [13] It also reached number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 [14] and topped the RPM Country chart in Canada. [15]

Track listing

Side one [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Run, Woman, Run"
  • Ann Booth
  • Duke Goff
  • Dan Hoffman
2:25
2."I Wish I Had a Mommy Like You"
3:32
3."True and Lasting Love"
  • Carmol Taylor
  • Agnes Wilson
2:30
4."I Never Once Stopped Loving You"
2:55
5."Safe in These Loving Arms of Mine"
  • Emily Mitchell
  • Sherrill
  • Wilson
2:10
Side two [5]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sally Trash"
2:26
2."My Daddy Doll"
  • Sherill
  • Taylor
  • Tammy Wynette
2:52
3."The Lovin' Kind"
  • Mitchell
  • Sherrill
  • Wilson
3:01
4."He's Still My Man"Sherrill2:32
5."Buy Me a Daddy"Taylor2:28
6."Playin' Around with Love"Sherrill2:25

Technical personnel

All credits are adapted from the liner notes of The First Lady. [5]

Charts

Chart (1970)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [16] 119
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [17] 2

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelRef.
JapanOctober 5, 1970Vinyl [18]
North AmericaEpic Records [5]
2010s
  • Music download
  • streaming
Sony Music Entertainment [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tammy Wynette</span> American country music artist (1942–1998)

Tammy Wynette was an American country music artist, as well as an actress and author. She is considered among the genre's most influential and successful artists. Along with Loretta Lynn, Wynette helped bring a woman's perspective to the male-dominated country music field that helped other women find representation in the genre. Her characteristic vocal delivery has been acclaimed by critics, journalists and writers for conveying unique emotion. Twenty of her singles topped the Billboard country chart during her career. Her signature song "Stand by Your Man" received both acclaim and criticism for its portrayal of women's loyalty towards their husbands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stand by Your Man</span> 1968 Tammy Wynette song

"Stand by Your Man" is a song recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette, co-written by Wynette and Billy Sherrill. It was released on September 20, 1968, as the first single and title track from the album Stand by Your Man. It proved to be the most successful record of Wynette's career, and is one of the most familiar songs in the history of country music. The song was placed at number one on CMT's list of the Top 100 Country Music Songs.

<i>Your Good Girls Gonna Go Bad</i> 1967 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad is a studio album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in May 1967 and contained ten tracks. The majority of the album was a collection of cover tunes Wynette recorded, including songs by George Jones, Loretta Lynn and Jeannie Seely. Several new songs were also part of the project. It was the debut studio album of Wynette's career and included two singles: "Apartment No. 9" and "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad". The latter became Wynette's first chart success, climbing into the top five of the American country chart. The album itself reached the American country LP's chart in 1967. The album later received a positive review from AllMusic, which gave it a five-star rating.

<i>Take Me to Your World / I Dont Wanna Play House</i> 1968 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Take Me to Your World / I Don't Wanna Play House is a studio album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in January 1968 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. It was the third studio album of Wynette's career. The album featured several new recordings as well as covers of previously-recorded material. Among the new recordings were two singles, which both topped the American country chart: "I Don't Wanna Play House" and "Take Me to Your World". The album itself reached the top five of the American country LP's chart in 1968. It received positive reviews from several publications following its release.

<i>D-I-V-O-R-C-E</i> (album) 1968 studio album by Tammy Wynette

D-I-V-O-R-C-E is a studio album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in July 1968 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. Several recordings were cover tunes, including songs by Merle Haggard and The Beatles. Several new selections were also part of the collection, including the title track. Released as a single, the title track became Wynette's fourth number one song on the North American country charts in 1968. The album itself would also top the American country LP's chart in 1968. D-I-V-O-R-C-E received positive reviews from critics following its release.

<i>Stand by Your Man</i> (album) 1969 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Stand by Your Man is a studio album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in January 1969 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. It was the fifth studio album of Wynette's career and was named for its title track. The title track became Wynette's signature song and most successful single of her career.

<i>Inspiration</i> (Tammy Wynette album) 1969 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Inspiration is a studio album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in March 1969 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. It was Wynette's first collection of inspirational music and her sixth studio album issued in her career. All of the album's songs were covers of gospel and other inspirational songs. It was received positively by several reviewers and charted on the American Country LP's chart following its original release.

<i>The Ways to Love a Man</i> (album) 1970 studio album by Tammy Wynette

The Ways to Love a Man is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on January 26, 1970 via Epic Records and was the seventh studio album in Wynette's career. The disc consisted of 11 tracks which included both original material and cover recordings. Its title track was the album's only single included. It became a number one song on the North American country charts while also reaching chart positions in other musical genres as well. The album itself also reached chart positions on the country albums chart following its release. Critics and journalists gave the album a positive reception in the years that followed.

<i>Tammys Touch</i> 1970 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Tammy's Touch is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on April 27, 1970 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. The album's material centered around themes of heartbreak and romance. Many of the album's songs were new recordings while others were covers. Among its new recordings was the singles "I'll See Him Through" and "He Loves Me All the Way". Both songs became chart-topping tracks on the country music charts in 1970. The album itself also reached top positions on multiple charts in the United States.

<i>We Sure Can Love Each Other</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Tammy Wynette

We Sure Can Love Each Other is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on May 3, 1971 via Epic Records and was the eleventh studio album released in her career. The disc contained a total of 11 tracks, mixing new material with cover tunes. The title track was the only singles included and became a chart-topping country song in North America. The album itself also charted in the top ten of the American country albums chart and received positive reviews by critics.

<i>Bedtime Story</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Bedtime Story is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released in March 1972 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. The disc featured both new recordings and cover tunes. Two singles were included: title track and "Reach Out Your Hand". Both made top positions on the North American country charts in 1972. The album itself reached the top ten of the American country albums chart following its release.

<i>My Man</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Tammy Wynette

My Man is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on September 25, 1972 via Epic Records and was the fifteenth studio album of her career. The disc was a collection of 11 tracks whose themes centered around spousal loyalty and heartache. Two singles were spawned from the album: "My Man (Understands)" and "'Til I Get It Right". Both topped the country charts in 1972 while the album itself reached a top position on the American country albums chart.

<i>Christmas with Tammy</i> 1970 studio album by Tammy Wynette

Christmas with Tammy is a studio album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on November 9, 1970 via Epic Records and featured 12 tracks of Christmas music. The project was also Wynette's tenth studio album in her career and made an appearance on the Billboard Best Bets for Christmas chart. Christmas with Tammy was re-released several times in various formats. One single was spawned from the album. The project received a positive reception from critics following its release.

<i>My Elusive Dreams</i> (David Houston and Tammy Wynette album) 1967 studio album by David Houston and Tammy Wynette

My Elusive Dreams is a studio album by American country artists David Houston and Tammy Wynette. It was released on Epic Records in August 1967 and contained ten tracks. It was the duo's first and only collaborative album together. My Elusive Dreams contained mostly duets between Houston and Wynette. The album was named for the title track, which topped the American country songs chart in 1967. Another single titled "It's All Over" also became a commercially-successful country song. The album received positive reviews following its release.

"Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad" is a song written by Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton, and recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in February 1967 as the first single and title track from the album Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad.

"I'll See Him Through" is a song written by Billy Sherrill and Norro Wilson, and recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette. It released in December 1969 as the first single from the album Tammy's Touch.

"The Wonders You Perform" is a song written by Jerry Chesnut, and recorded by American country music artist Tammy Wynette. It was released as a single in November 1970.

<i>The World of Tammy Wynette</i> Compilation album by American Country music artist Tammy Wynette

The World of Tammy Wynette is a compilation album by American country artist Tammy Wynette. It was released in May 1970 via Epic Records and contained 20 tracks of previously recorded material. The album comprised a series of recordings that originally appeared on Wynette's studio albums but were not issued as a singles. Some of the album's material were covers of songs first recorded by other music artists. It was originally issued on two separate discs and was later re-released in 2009. The World of Tammy Wynette appeared on both the Billboard country albums chart and the pop chart. The disc received mixed reviews from critics.

<i>Kids Say the Darndest Things</i> (album) 1973 compilation album by Tammy Wynette

Kids Say the Darndest Things is a compilation album by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It was released on April 23, 1973 via Epic Records and contained 11 tracks. The disc was a concept album centering around children and domestic life. The title track was the lead single from the album and topped the country charts in 1973. The album itself also made the American country albums chart. It received positive reviews from critics.

"I Stayed Long Enough" is a song written and originally recorded by American country artist, Tammy Wynette. It first appeared as an album track on Wynette's 1969 album, Stand by Your Man. It was then recorded and released as a single by American country artist, Billie Jo Spears. Her version reached the top 40 of the American country chart in 1970.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chadborne, Eugene. "The First Lady: Tammy Wynette: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 24 December 2022.
  2. ↑ Wolff, Kurt (2000). Country Music: The Rough Guide. Penguin Books Ltd. pp. 334–337. ISBN   978-1858285344.
  3. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Tammy Wynette: Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  4. ↑ McDonough 2010, p. 167-169.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wynette, Tammy (October 5, 1970). "The First Lady (Liner Notes and Disc Information)". Epic Records . E-30213.
  6. ↑ McDonough, p. 169.
  7. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research.
  8. ↑ "Album Reviews: Country". Billboard . October 10, 1970. p. 60. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  9. 1 2 "The First Lady by Tammy Wynette". Apple Music . Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - December 12, 1970" (PDF). American Radio History. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  11. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (April 1, 2007). Joel Whitburn Presents The Billboard Albums. Record Research. ISBN   978-0898201666.
  12. ↑ Wynette, Tammy (August 1970). ""Run, Woman, Run"/"My Baby Doll" (7" vinyl single)". Epic Records . 5-10653.
  13. ↑ "Billboard Magazine - October 24, 1970" (PDF). American Radio History. Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  14. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 929.
  15. ↑ "Search results for "Tammy Wynette" under Top Singles". RPM . Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  16. ↑ "Tammy Wynette Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Tammy Wynette Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
  18. ↑ Wynette, Tammy (October 5, 1970). "The First Lady (Liner Notes and Disc Information)". CBS Records International . SONP-50382.

Books

  • McDonough, Jimmy (2010). Tammy Wynette: Tragic Country Queen. Penguin Publishing Group. ISBN   9781101189955.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.